WEALTH MANAGEMENT MEANS SO MUCH MORE THAN MERELY MANAGING THE MARKET THESE DAYS. FROM FINANCIAL ADVISERS TO CURATORS FOR YOUR COLLECTIONS, HERE ARE THE PROS YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW.
THE WHO
Founded by a former Maui schoolteacher, Ed Buck, E.A. Buck Financial Services (eabuck.com) was built on the belief that everyone should be entitled to the same financial and tax strategies, regardless of their net worth. For more than 40 years, E.A. Buck has assisted over 5,000 families, both here in the islands and across the continental United States, offering retirement planning, wealth management, tax strategies, estate planning, social security and life insurance. “We dedicate our practice to providing goals-based planning that understands the unique needs of our clients and empowers them with the knowledge and insight to make confident financial decisions,” says CEO and principal Katie Buck, who joined her father-in-law’s company 14 years ago. Under her leadership, she has grown the firm from one location in Hawai‘i to 11 locations operating across four states and added two additional separate entities— E.A. Buck Accounting & Tax Services and Federal Benefits Made Simple, all while holding true to Ed’s ideals.
THE WHY
“The economic and market outlook has changed over the past year, and we understand that navigating a volatile financial future can be daunting. It’s more important than ever to play defense as well as offense, which is why we help our clients manage their portfolios and assets to fi nd a balance that helps to meet their specific goals,” says Katie. “Stocks and bonds are not inversely complementary to each other, which makes it more difficult to diversify your portfolio in today’s economy. It’s time to look at the markets in a different light and change our traditional way of investing.”
THE TAKEAWAY
“Today’s retirement and estate planning efforts are more important than ever,” she says. “The current tax environment is going to change, and it’s likely that taxes could increase over the next few years. Combined with rising interest rates and high inflation, it’s important that we address our retirement and estate plans to minimize volatility and ensure our family’s future. Plans change, and the outlook has been affected by economic conditions that did not exist over the last decade. Having a trusted financial professional on your side can help you create effective financial plans that put you more in control of your retirement and estate.”
PHOTO BY COTT ONBRO STUDIO/PEXELS.
THE WHO
Prior to opening his law firm, Jason Woo, Attorney at Law, LLLC (jasonwoolaw.com), in 2014, Woo served as a deputy prosecuting attorney for the city and county of Honolulu and as an attorney at two well-respected civil law firms concentrated in the practice areas of real estate, business and condominium association law. Woo’s current practice is primarily focused on all aspects of real estate and business law. In addition, he is the current board chair of the O‘ahu region of the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation, helping to oversee the administration of two long-term care facilities, Leahi Hospital and Maluhia, which provide compassionate care for O‘ahu’s kupuna.
THE WHY
“We all know Hawai‘i is an amazing place to live, and due to scarcity, real estate in Hawai‘i will continue to be a great investment in the long term regardless of current short-term economic conditions,” says Woo. “However, with increasing interest rates, less liquidity and continued reduced inventory of single-family homes and condominiums, it is more important than ever to make sure you lay a strong legal foundation for your investment venture and conduct the appropriate due diligence once a suitable property is found.”
THE TAKEAWAY
“A strong legal foundation for investors involves selecting and forming an appropriate business entity, drafting necessary legal documents, and having a resource to call on to resolve any potential legal issues that may arise,” he says. “This firm can assist with due diligence, including services for title review to determine if any legal steps should be taken prior to listing or closing to ensure a timely and smooth closing.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF ART STUDIO OF CHRISTINA MAY HO
THE WHO
Christina May Ho is the founder of Island Art Advisory (islandartadvisory.com) and CMHO Fine Art (cmho.art), serves as the art adviser for Halekulani Fine Art Collection (halekulani.com) and currently sits on the board of directors for the Jean Charlot Foundation (jeancharlot.org). From her time at Christie’s Auction House to working with artists in the Venice Biennale to frequent attendance of the world’s top art fairs, she offers expertise on procuring art collections for her clients around the world, including high-profile art collectors, museums, hotels and resorts.
THE WHY
“I grew up around art collectors,” says Ho. “Art is intuitive to me; it’s second nature, and I help people by sharing my understanding and experiences from the art world.” Based in Honolulu, and between her time in NYC and Hong Kong, her goal is to create a bridge that brings the best of what these markets offer to Hawai‘i and to also make artists of Hawai‘i more accessible to the wider audiences of the art world.
THE TAKEAWAY
“Assuming proper care is taken of the work, art remains one of the most stable classes of investment with low correlation to options that are more volatile,” she says. “While the tangible aspect to art investment is important, living with art brings innumerable benefits in ways that can easily be overlooked. It can be a powerful investment in yourself, the community and overall an enhancement to one’s lifestyle.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF BEN BRIDGE JEWELER
THE WHO
For 110 years, Ben Bridge Jeweler (benbridge.com) has been committed to being a personal jeweler. “We are honored to help celebrate moments in life in a meaningful and lasting way,” says Lisa Bridge, the fifth generation of the Bridge family to lead the company. “Providing the highest standard of service with unparalleled knowledge and skills allows us to fi nd the perfect piece for every occasion. It is our privilege to serve as your personal jeweler selling high-quality and beautiful diamonds, natural gemstones and luxury timepieces. We care deeply about the future and the generations to come, so beautiful timepieces hold a special place in our hearts.”
THE WHY
“There are endless options available and also prevailing thoughts on what is hot, but when you’re selecting a watch, it’s most important that it is reflective of you. That’s when you’ll wear it with the most style and confidence and it becomes an eternal part of your story,” says Bridge. “One of the wonderful things about fi ne timepieces is that they have a level of quality and craftsmanship that has the potential to be handed down for generations. At Ben Bridge, we have more watchmakers than anyone in the country, which means that even beyond selling timepieces, we take pride in being able to help our customers care for them well into the future.”
THE TAKEAWAY
“An incredible watch communicates style, personality and holds great meaning,” she says. “That meaning grows over time as it is part of so many of life’s moments, both big and small. There is always something more and new to learn, whether it be a new movement or the precise tweak of a case shape. Watches are great fun to collect as they each have their own personality.”
THE WHO
“I have been in the jewelry business for 40 years now,” says Robert Palma, a Gemological Institute of America graduate with diplomas in Diamond Grading, Color Stone Grading, Pearl Grading and Jewelry Design, and a member of the Better Business Bureau and Hawai‘i Jewelers Association. At Robert Palma Designs (robertpalmadesigns.com), investing in rare and important gemstones, custom-designed jewelry and fi ne watches is its specialty. “Whether you are looking for a one-of-a-kind engagement ring or want to redesign outdated jewelry into new bling, we pride ourselves in crafting high-quality pieces of art using the best materials.”
THE WHY
“Because of my years of experience of gemstones, I have intimate knowledge of the jewelry business,” says Palma, who is known for his quality craftsmanship and materials, personal care and prices. “For example, pink diamonds are a great investment because the number-one mine that produced 85% of the world’s production of pink diamonds shut down in November of 2020. The name of this mine is the Argyle mine and [it] was located in Australia. So it’s a no-brainer that if there’s no more supply, prices are going to go up significantly.”
THE TAKEAWAY
“The benefit of investing in these timeless pieces is that they are guaranteed to appreciate over time if you buy them at the right price,” he says. “This is where I can really help my clients. I have actually purchased back gemstones and watches from my clients over the years and paid them a profit.”
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